Copperstill Bourbon Bar opens in Neenah

Nov. 1, 2013

Written by

Maureen Wallenfang

Post-Crescent Media

Copperstill Bourbon Bar has opened at 211 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Neenah, capping a long journey for two brothers.

Owners Tom and Tony Kuhr, Neenah natives, had their eye on the quaint historic building for years. It’s a neoclassical brick structure built from 1926 that has been a doctor’s office, law office and several hospitality businesses, including St. James Cocktail Lounge and Inter Tapas.

But as with any business decision, making the leap, signing a lease and opening a new business took the right combination of things, from adequate funds to the willingness to jump.

“It was the third time we looked at it,” said Tom. “We had the concept, the financials and the risk all in line.”

This will be their first venture as owners.

Cy and Vong Thounsavath, also proprietors of Cy’s Asian Bistro in Neenah, own the building and leased it to the brothers, who are in their 40s and had worked for decades in bars and restaurants.

Copperstill is a whiskey bar, and in its first few days those who’ve come in have not shied away from ordering off the menu of 39 whiskeys and four specialty cocktails made with bourbon or moonshine.

“People are embracing it,” said Tom. “We thought they’d order beer, vodka and gin, but it has been the signature cocktails and whiskey pours, neat or on the rocks.”

His brother Tony, who had experience working in a pizzeria, also created a menu of personal size gourmet flatbread pizzas.

“We have a Thai chicken pizza that’s our tribute to Cy. They gave us the recipe,” said Tony.

Tom created one pizza on the menu, the Big Apple pizza made with apples and bacon.

“It’s our Wisconsin take on a Hawaiian pizza,” he said.

Long range plans include starting a pizza competition for employees of the largest neighborhood companies, Bemis, Plexus and Alta Resources.

“They can come in and create their own pizzas. Customers will sample and vote. The best one will get on the permanent menu,” Tony said.

Besides residential and business neighbors, they say their customers will include travelers from the next-door Holiday Inn Neenah Riverwalk.

Open every day except Sunday. Open at 6 p.m. Saturday and from 3 p.m. to close all other days. Pizzas are served to 1 a.m. Live jazz booked at 8 p.m. Monday nights starting Nov. 11.